Worcester witnessed a special event as Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll honored the service of 32 Girl Scouts and volunteers from Central and Western Massachusetts. In an effort to recognize commendable volunteerism, the Healey-Driscoll Administration reinstated the distribution of service awards, a tradition briefly disrupted under the previous administration. According to a press release from the Massachusetts government website, the ceremony highlighted the achievements of 24 Scouts and eight adults who logged impressive service hours in their communities.
With a personal connection to the organization, "As a former Brownie myself, I know that the Girl Scouts are shining examples of what happens when we work together to stand for something bigger than ourselves," Governor Healey remarked, as noted by the Massachusetts government. She proudly noted that the awardees volunteered for over a combined 5,000 hours – a testament to their dedication and community impact. Lieutenant Governor Driscoll underlined that sentiment, stating, "Today’s awardees are proof that here in Massachusetts, we are a state that shows up when people are hungry or hurting." The recognition included a Governor’s Citation and a Girl Scouts pin for each volunteer.
The pause in recognitions came under President Trump, who halted the federal program that would typically honor such volunteers. However, in this recent ceremony, the new Lieutenant Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards were presented instead. Theresa Lynn, GSCWM CEO expressed her gratitude for the support, saying, "Volunteerism is not only core to our mission but it is the lifeblood of our organization," demonstrating that the ceremony was more than formality but an essential morale boost to the contributors who represent the Girl Scouts ideals of service and leadership, as reported by the state's official website.
The awards are segmented into three levels: bronze, silver, and gold, based on the volunteer’s age, and the number of service hours completed from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. A Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledges those who go above and beyond, contributing over 4,000 hours of service. "I’m honored to be presenting this year’s Lieutenant Governor's Volunteer Service Award to these 32 amazing volunteers," Driscoll added, celebrating their personal commitment and the Girl Scout’s emphasis on service as a cornerstone of leadership, as per the Massachusetts government.
